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Ontario announces new legislation to guide long-term infrastructure investment

November 26, 2013

Ontario is proposing legislation that, if passed, would support long-term strategic infrastructure planning to build a stronger economy that supports more jobs and apprenticeship opportunities, according to a release from the Ontario Ministry of Infrastructure. If passed, the proposed Infrastructure for Jobs and Prosperity Act would require the province to regularly table a long-term infrastructure plan in the legislature covering a period of at least 10 years. The proposed Act also includes guiding principles to help planning align with demographic and economic trends to maximize the value of provincial infrastructure investments and promote innovation, competitiveness, and job creation and training. Recognizing the province's need for skilled trade workers, the proposed legislation would also require the government to involve apprentices in the construction of certain provincial infrastructure projects. [caption id="attachment_300" align="alignright" width="156"]Clive Thurston 2011 Clive Thurston[/caption] “Today’s proposed legislation will help ensure that the province’s investments in building and renewing Ontario’s infrastructure bring real benefit to our economy,” says Clive Thurston, President, Ontario General Contractors Association. “This is a long-term investment in jobs, training, and the future of Ontario. It’s a process that started with the Ontario government’s long-term infrastructure plan Building Together, and it continues with this legislation." “We look forward to the discussions that will flow from this initiative,” adds Thurston, who is also Chair of the Construction and Design Alliance of Ontario. The Act also calls for the promotion of design excellence in public works. Architects and other professionals with design expertise and experience would be involved in certain provincially-owned and funded infrastructure projects. [caption id="attachment_590" align="alignright" width="150"]Kristi Doyle OAA Kristi Doyle[/caption] "We are pleased to see the Ontario government recognize the important contribution architects and design professionals make as noted in their long-term infrastructure plan Building Together," says Kristi Doyle, Ontario Association of Architects Executive Director . "The emphasis on design excellence and performance are key factors to ensuring  a sustainable and strong future for Ontario." The Infrastructure for Jobs and Prosperity Act was formally mentioned in the province’s Economic Statement on Nov. 8. At the time, CDAO supported the government’s focus on long-term and planned investment in infrastructure. “We agree modern infrastructure is key to driving economic growth in the province,” Thurston noted at the time (Read CDAO’s comments here).

Read the content of the proposed Act here

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QUICK FACTS

If passed, the Infrastructure for Jobs and Prosperity Act would encourage strategic long-term infrastructure planning through five key components: Long-term Planning The Minister of Infrastructure would be required to table a ten-year plan in the legislature. The first plan is to be tabled within three years of the legislation coming into force and subsequent plans tabled every five years. Guiding Principles The province and broader public sector organizations, such as universities, hospitals and municipalities, would consider key principles when determining infrastructure plans and investments, including the following:

Project Prioritization The province would consider giving priority to infrastructure proposals that align with provincial plans. Examples include:

Other elements that would be considered when prioritizing plans include project proposals that demonstrate:

Promoting Design Excellence in Public Works Architects and other professionals with design expertise and experience would be involved in certain provincially owned and funded infrastructure projects. Regulations would be required before this provision would come into effect. Skills Training and Apprenticeship The province would employ or engage apprentices in the construction or maintenance of certain provincial infrastructure projects. Regulations would be required before this would come into effect.

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